Safety Steve

but every question deserves and answer; Safety management systems are not only recognised they are required by law from any employer. They can be very simple to produce. So no, it does not cost a lot and most of it is probably there already. What is missing is usually free. You pay for someone (hopefully who knows what they are doing) to come in, prune the paperwork to a good shape, get rid of dead or diseased rubbish and plant new stuff knowing it will yield returns and healthy stock. If you didn't the paperwork you have might have an infestation called liability or a parasite called apathy. .... and the bit about Welshland, this could be tricky as there are significant cultural barriers to be overcome. It should be ok for some, especially dim ond y rhai sy'n gallu meddwl tu allan i'r bocs

2602 posts and you give me a feed line like that:thumbup:... how have you survived!

just ordered some pizza for us before the main event - the crocodiles v LA H&S enforcement team.... So the question to the bad boys out there is.... where are you getting all this duff info from:stupido2: ? Who said anything about forms? I said smartphones. Who said anything about stopping work - I hope proper OSH will get you more! Put it this way; if you go all dry in the mouth and start sweating when the spec docs arrive because there is a section on H&S where do you turn for advice? If the answer is 'my mate' then fine. If the answer is; 'I pray and smudge the ink' then fine. If the answer is 'we outsource' or 'I use the HSE website (because it is free)' then fine. I just want to know where you get your advice - simples!! Mind you it has been a bit of an afternoon of 'Carry on up the Arboretum' so thanks for the entertainment.... I still make it that the 'Fellers (get it) are cutting through the OSH'ers. at a rate of :thumbdown:7 - 5:thumbup1:

thanks Scotspine - nearly... I do several of the same thing but I prefer to be much more hands on. Getting things done to actually help the business efficiency (aka safety and health). To clarify; I don't pretend to be anything I am not, you are the experts etc etc... but I know my way around OSH, the 'why' and 'why not' and the 'how' and the which what?' Keep 'em coming..... I still got some OSH Gladiators to bring out for you to snack on......

Just a reminder of the OP for the newcomers to the coliseum.... I am thinking; Lions 5 - OSH 2:blushing:?

... but would be delivered better by a V Meldrew or Mr Cleese perhaps?

Peatff - how do you sweep properly in this config? Stove flue should be lined and backfilled to reduce condensation - your fire place was (very probably) built for coal -not wood burning. crobinson - one of mine is external, works fine and much easier to sweep -make sure you fit an external elbow to catch rain and load brushes. I used ceramic one the external flue to reduce heat loss and be able to contain a chimney fire - works fine and actually lesson of a risk in the barn. I do lose heat leak from the flue though.

wrsni; lions 1 - safety 0 Paul; there was part of a posting that was discussing proposed work on a TPO for the client - I want to integrate OSH with the actual work -not have it as a bolt on. This means less input but more relevance for you guys. Peatff; the 'fellow' means that I stood a round once..... the Chartered bit takes about 5 -10 years in a safety role. It is usually (not always) a second career. I also train people in the industry itself but no more on this here. IOSH is the largest in the world - happy to talk more on this if anyone interested from a personal development perspective, but want the conversation to be on free flow (like my beer) so I'll shut up....

Hi Tree - I have three, because I m greedy! All are different - 2 being 'plumbed'. If you want to discuss the option of heating alongside existing CH setup happy to chat or if you want a looksee to think of possibilities - but I can't help you with prices as these were done some time ago. Just pm for my number - I am in Midhurst.

Ok - into the den of lions we go..... I am after some advice from members regarding the development of my health, safety and sustainability professional services. This is NOT a tout for business (at the moment). I am a Charted Fellow of IOSH (the most recognised professional body) and personally very interested in the various commercial/private working environments covered by members. I am at that point in my career where I am going to do what I enjoy - rather than chase the £'s. I am an ex engineer 'safety professional' (ie not an arborist or TS) with my own equipment which I have used for 20 years in a domestic user, (saws, brush cutters, 360 JCB, dumper and Kubota tractor with various attachments and buckets etc etc.) I don't climb but used to look after safety of a LA (parks, verge cutting risk assessments and vetting contractors! etc). My (serious) request for your thoughts; does this industry have sufficient 'modern' safety professionals working for it? Ie not client led - but in house or 'on tap' advisors who look after your business and actually help you to win contracts, liaise with clients or help manage subbies etc). I fully appreciate larger organisations will have in house services - but it is you smaller guys that I would enjoy working with more. If there is a general 'yes' I will use the appropriate place on here to sell my wares - this is more of a survey. It would be useful if you gave your current setup so I can see who thinks what. Just as an example of 'modern safety' - I'd rather see you use a smart phone for site risk assessment and those awkward crown 'reduction' plans than start filling out lengthy forms.... No holds barred - say it like it is ! And thanks just for reading this far .

These schemes are usually used to reduce the burden on the client to ensure work will be done safely. It may reduce the amount of input required for site induction courses -which is why they were setup for peripatetic (from site to site) workers. The important thing is to understand why they are being asked in any particular circumstance and (unless you have them) to be able to give a better answer that simply ' yes I am a card carrying member'. The card gives assurance that basic H&S is understood (signs, evacuation points, site ppe etc). It might (he repeats -might...) be worthwhile to consider alternative schemes which also check your safety preparation (just for illustration - CHAS). What the client wants is assurance that you, your workers and your subbies re not cowboys and know the rules -that way if you break them it is clear cut you at fault - no more; 'please sir, I didn't know I was supposed to ....' Having sound H&S management - including training and competency management of all parts of your organisation (irrespective if you are self employed or run a company and frequently subcontract ) is what is sought - not a tick box approach. These schemes are not compulsory - they are invoked through contract (which is always negotiable - ha-ha) There are exceptions - for example track side work which is statutory under rail safety law.

Spot on. I don't know anything about climbing or particularly want to. But occasionally I may need to engage climbers - either personally or as part of contract management. If any of the 'noble savages' who seem to think there is an honour badge at stake here were identified to me they would be black listed from my catalogue as unsuitable contractors as their attitude to task safety would put me at risk professionally. I want people who are responsible - and know when to say 'stop' lets talk. 'Challenge climbing' as some seem to describe is for play time - not work time. I fully appreciate the satisfaction buzz etc after a difficult job and don't want to stop this, this is the mixed spice of a good work life. I fully accept this is a 'social forum' and a lot of what is said is tongue in cheek. But believe me guys - the world of work has moved on. Talk of climbing practice centuries old is almost laughable. Hey we sent kids down mines and up chimneys then as well - perhaps we should go back? Put all your climbing gear in a box and scrap it - just in case someone thinks it is overkill.

''' whose sorry now...'' Lord Sugar sues Apprentice Stella English after unfair dismissal claim | Metro News Could be a very costly mistake if the employer chose this path Keith.

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Your 'avin a Larfff...... Firstly change the SO. (Although I am extremely doubtful about your suggestion here unless they were unqualified) Secondly learn about what good safety looks like - it is an enabler not a prevention tactic. Real H&S is too often hijacked as an excuse by those who don't know, don't care or lack competence themselves in their own job.

I quite understand your self congratulatory approach here Difflock. It must be a milestone of achievement to get to your position with all limbs and digits still attached:confused1:. Probably not the best way of marketing yourself though IMHO to any potential clients - you know how picky they can be. Personally (and professionally) I use slightly more forward thinking KPI's to measure efficient performance. But hey ho I am sure you have suitable insurance should - sorry, when it is needed. But do check, most claim recovery covers only about 20% or real l:001_cool:ss incurred by the victim.

The OP asked; My question is how the employees right to refuse dangerous work tasks , under the Health and safety Act applies in the tree industry? Simple answer is yes they do have that right irrespective of pay, contract type, qualification etc etc. The rest, they say is history and individual circumstance that could only be assessed by those who were there. Forget about highly skilled , MEWP or other risk control measures - everyone has the right to refuse work on the grounds of H&S and they are (rigorously) protected from employers threat or intimidation. My simple advice to the employers on here is to think carefully how you respond to any refusal to work on grounds of safety or any intimidation (even that which we might call banter) to work unsafely. If it goes pear shaped I start charging the higher rate for consultancy.......

Skyhuck, me thinks I could retort with a couple of stereotypical remarks here but judging by the notches on your big chopper I guess it would be plain stupid of me to assume I know something you when clearly I don't. If you want to talk seriously about H&S I'll be happy to oblige. The OP wanted some advice on a situation, I gave it. The rest - they say, is banter. But I did mind my p's and q's....

Marcus - you are right about me missing the o/o status, but do us all a favour and name him because I am sure people on here don't want to buy any used equipment from him (which is where it will go if he keeps on 'enjoying himself'). Better still send us a pic next time and I'll circulate around so we can all laugh at his antics. Here are a few more for a chuckle.. [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03QNPLpBh9o[/ame] Steve

with the greatest respect - you ain't seen nuffin, and you sure as hell don't know about SWL, axle and or leg load point, NDT investigations, safe working envelope or any number of other criticalities I could list. Ah bin around bin trucks and ah bin around cranes - and ah bin around hengineerin to know when someone is seriously _____ up a piece of equipment.

We wish to apologise for our inconsiderate and hurtful comments relating to village idiots. We recognise that the term was used without considering the personal effect it might have on village idiots. We fully appreciate that society benefits from the work of village idiots and without them it would be a sad world. Without compromising the apology above we would like to rephrase our comments and replace the words 'village idiot' with ''Effeminate Cowboy'' and trust that (should there be any Effeminate Cowboys on this site) they would consider the actions of the utter osters mentioned to be in accordance with their game of hide the sausage as he was probably smiling for other reasons whilst playing such a game with the reverberations of his machine.

.... N:001_smile: - he grinned happily because he was the village idi:drool:t . And more likely because the equipment wasn't paid for out of his pocket. Pity the next poor sod to use the same equipment - or (do tell...) was he responsible enough to check all the seals after his jolly shock loading capers?

First the facts; any employee is allowed to stop work if they have reasonable grounds to suspect they may be injured or cause injury or damage to others. Not only are they allowed to do this they are required by law to do this under HSWA and MHSWR. They themselves could be committing an offence if they did not say something. Had this developed into ‘’he said, she said’’ the employer would likely be facing wrapped knuckles for the failures already identified (dynamic risk assessment / review, consultation, ssw, work at height protocol and priority for avoiding etc) and (had any discipline been conducted) could have faced civil litigation for ‘bullying’. Old timers say what you want - this is how it is. Welcome to 1974. It isn’t macho, and it isn’t cotton wool. It is what we call ‘reasonable’. In particular it is likely that a proper investigation would find numerous holes in the employers system of work resulting in hefty legal and consultancy costs and time consumed in bunging these holes up to try and avoid either litigation or prosecution. My vocation isn’t top work – my job is getting to the root of the problem and pruning dead wood.

Dan - very kind offer but too late for me to get out today I am in Midhurst. Where will you be travelling to as you can tip/drop anything 'loggy' here?